The Complications of Meningococcal Disease: The Stories of Mothers Affected
Meningococcal disease, a severe type of meningitis, can changes lives within a day. Caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, meningococcal disease can cause serious complications or even death. Two mothers who have been personally affected by meningococcal disease talked to EmpowHer: Olga Pasick, who lost her son David, and Shara Ludlum, whose son Tyler has had complications due to meningococcal disease.
EmpowHer: Your family has been personally affected by meningococcal disease. When did you know something was wrong?
Olga Pasick: It was the start of a new school year in September, and one evening, our 13 year-old son David got the chills, spiked a high fever and vomited throughout the night. I thought he was coming down with a viral illness like the flu. By morning we called the pediatrician to have him seen. He complained that his whole body ached, and he needed help getting dress.
That’s when I noticed the purplish spots on his chest and arms. When the pediatricians saw the rash, they diagnosed him with meningococcal meningitis and sent him to the emergency room. Despite the doctor’s best efforts, David had organ failure and died a few hours later. That’s how fast this disease can take a healthy child’s life.
Shara Ludlum: My son, Tyler, came down with flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, exhaustion) the summer he turned 10 years old. After taking him to the doctor three times, the emergency room finally determined that he was gravely ill, and needed emergency transport to a bigger facility.
He fell into a coma for eight days and fought for his life. He was hospitalized for three months, then endured triple amputations on his hands and feet. Tyler is lucky to have survived meningitis, but no family should have to go through what we did, which is why I became a Voices of Meningitis and am now encouraging other families to have their preteen and teenage children vaccinated.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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The Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA), a national organization, would like the public & media to know that information is available regarding the diagnosis, treatment & prevention of meningitis. MFA was founded in 1997 by parents whose children were affected by meningitis. In addition to supporting vaccination & preventing meningitis, the MFA provides information to educate the public & medical professionals so that the early diagnosis, treatment &, most important, prevention of meningitis, will save lives. Meningitis is a dangerous & often times fatal inflammation of the brain &/or spinal cord that can leave survivors with serious life-long physical problems MFA would like to be considered as a news resource for the disease. For further information, visit the MFA website at www musa org.
Thank you,
August 31, 2011 - 9:48pmMFA
Box 1818
El Mirage AZ 85335
480 270 2652
World Meningitis Day 24 April 2011
www comoonline org
Educate~Vaccinate~Eradicate
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